Frank B. and Lilian M. (Stitzel) Russell & Family

On August 7, 1895 Lilian M. Stitzel married Frank B. Russell. Lilian, born in 1873, was the daughter of Philip Stitzel, who, in 1910, sold a distillery that later became the well-known Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Frank, born in 1868, was an enterprising man who, early in his career, was involved with the manufacture of beer staves (see image: Stave mill, ca. 1911 [SB R963_018]) and beginning in 1908 served as President of the Beer Stock Manufactures Association. Throughout his life he would endeavor into various industries, including oil, lumber, and banking. The couple had three children: Hobart (nicknamed Hobit), Toska (Tox), and Joyce. The Russells lived first in Clay City, Kentucky, and several images from this time are documented in this gallery. They later moved to 205 South Peterson Avenue in Louisville, where their home still stands today. This gallery documents the family’s time in both Clay City and Louisville, as well as their travels, hobbies, home life (including domestic staff), and Frank’s professional endeavors.

The images come from the Frank B. Russell Scrapbook, 1870-1977 (Mss. SB R963). The book contains more photographs like the examples shown here as well as the couple’s marriage announcement and associated correspondence, correspondence related to the birth of Mr. and Mrs. Russell’s son (Hobart), and other personal ephemera.

The Filson also has a collection of Frank’s papers (Mss. A R963). This collection focuses mostly on Frank’s research into the history of the iron industry in Kentucky. The papers include correspondence, 1940-1958; notes; newspaper clippings; and photographs of furnaces.

Russell Home in Louisville, Kentucky [SB R963_002]

Toska and Hobart Russell, 1906 [SB R963_003]

Childhood portrait of Toska and her older brother Hobart—or Tox and Hobit as the inscriptions throughout the scrapbook reveal their nicknames to be. Locket sized photographs of Lilian and Frank appear over the shoulders of Tox and Hobit. [Frank B. Russell Scrapbook, SB R963]

Have Car, Will Travel, undated [SB R963_010]

Below the Falls of the Niagara, 1911 [SB R963_011]

Captured in September of 1911 this image shows members of the Russell Family posed below the Falls of the Niagara. Pictured from left to right: Frank, Tox, Lilian, Joyce, Hobart, Kent, JBH, N, and Le. [Frank B. Russell Scrapbook, SB R963]

Springtime Picnic in Estill County, Ky., 1896 [SB R963_012]

A picnic scene outside of the Estill County iron furnace on April 26, 1896. Pictured on the far left is Lilian’s brother, Arthur next to an unidentified woman who stands next to Frank and Lilian. [Frank B. Russell Scrapbook, SB R963]

Coney Island, 1899 [SB R963_015]

Charley, Al, and the Cows [SB R963_016]

Domestic help Charley and Al are pictured with the family’s cows. This undated photograph was taken in front of the carriage house of the Russell’s Peterson Avenue home. [Frank B. Russell Scrapbook, SB R963]

Giddyup! [SB R963_022]

Hometown Banking [SB R963_023]

Frank pictured with two other men named Ramsey and Cox in front of the Clay City National Bank, ca.1903. Frank would later be Director of the Lincoln Bank and Trust Co., U.S. Trust Co., and the Winchester Bank. [Frank B. Russell Scrapbook, SB R963]

Stave Mill, ca. 1911 [SB R963_018]

Where to Park at The Filson

The Filson Historical Society is located in the heart of Old Louisville at the corner of Third Street and Ormsby Avenue.

Parking can be accessed from 3rd St. and the alleyway off Ormsby Ave. Additional parking is available as free street parking on 3rd St., 4th St., and Ormsby Ave. Please note there is no entrance to Filson parking from 4th St.

We ask that all day patrons please enter through the Wood Carriage House. For events, attendees should enter through the Owsley Brown II Center unless otherwise noted.